Roof Repair: What to Do After a Storm

As we all know, Mother Nature can be both beautiful and brutal. We don’t always know what kind of weather is headed our way. A roof over our heads is always a welcomed protection for when bad storms hit Maryland, but sometimes these storms cause unexpected and permanent damage to our homes.

In this post, we’ll discuss what you should do after a storm so that you can be assured that your home will be protected against the elements in the future.

Safety First

RoofPro’s top priority is our customers’ safety. Before we begin with how to inspect your home for damage after a storm, here are some post-storm safety reminders:

Look for dangers like broken glass or exposed metal/wires.

Be alert for downed power lines.

If there is standing water in your home, don’t touch it until your home’s power is shut off.

If you’re inspecting your home at night, use a good flashlight or headlamp so that you can see other potential hazards.

Once you are certain that the situation is safe, we suggest inspecting your roof (and the rest of your home) for damage. The inspection process is especially important if there is more bad weather coming your way.

Review and Assess Damage

In heavy storms with high winds, the roof is the most susceptible part of the house to damage. The following are some things to look for when inspecting your roof for exterior damage. You should use extreme caution if you’ll be climbing onto your roof to make these inspections. We suggest trying your hardest to make these inspections from the ground first:

Missing shingles

Holes in the roof

Dented shingles

Roof or shingle debris collecting in gutters

Dented gutters, vents, or other structures attached to the roof

If you have attic access, you should also look for roof damage from the inside of your home. Damage to a roof won’t often show on the exterior, but meanwhile water could be leaking into your home. Even if you don’t see exterior damage to your roof, it’s always a good idea to inspect your roof from the inside if possible. Be on the lookout for:

Broken beams

Cracked drywall

Dripping water

Signs of heavy moisture build up

Avoid Further Damage

Hopefully your home has not incurred any severe damage, but if your inspection finds some worrying damage, there are some actions you can take immediately to avoid further damage. Some of these actions can be done without the help of professionals (like boarding windows and tarping your roof), but we suggest hiring a professional contractor if you are unsure of how to perform emergency repairs on your home.